HistoryData
culture2002

Eurovision Song Contest 2002 — 47th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest

January 1, 2002

The 2002 Eurovision Song Contest was the first edition held in a former Soviet republic, with Latvia winning for the first time.

Quick Facts

Year
2002
Category
culture

Key Facts

Edition
47th Eurovision Song Contest
Date
25 May 2002
Venue
Saku Suurhall, Tallinn, Estonia
Winning song
"I Wanna" by Marie N (Latvia)
Participating countries
24
Malta's result
2nd place — best in their Eurovision history

By the Numbers

47
Edition
25
Date
24
Participating countries
2
Malta's result

Location

Map of Tallinn, EstoniaMap of Tallinn, EstoniaTallinn, Estonia

Cause → Event → Consequence

Cause

Estonia earned hosting rights after Tanel Padar, Dave Benton, and 2XL won the 2001 Eurovision Song Contest with "Everybody", making Estonia the first former Soviet republic to win the contest and thus obligated to host the following edition.

Event

The 47th Eurovision Song Contest took place on 25 May 2002 at the Saku Suurhall in Tallinn, Estonia, hosted by Annely Peebo and Marko Matvere. Twenty-four countries competed, with Latvia's Marie N performing "I Wanna" and claiming victory, supported by Malta, the United Kingdom, Estonia, and France rounding out the top five.

Consequence

Latvia secured its first-ever Eurovision victory, while Malta achieved its best-ever result with a second-place finish. Denmark, despite being considered a pre-contest favourite, finished last. Ireland and Norway were relegated for the first and only time in the contest's history up to that point.

Work

Eurovision Song Contest 2002

by Marie N (winner, "I Wanna")music
First Eurovision held in a former Soviet republic; Latvia won its first-ever contest title, and Malta achieved its historically best placement.

Timeline Context

Timeline around 200220021999200020012003200420052002 OFC Nations Cup — international football competition2002 European Men's Handball Championship — 2002 edition of the European Men's Handball Championship2002 FIFA World Cup — 17th FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan2002–03 UEFA Cup — 32nd season of Europe's secondary club football tournament organised by UEFA2002 African Cup of Nations — football tournament2002 FIBA World Championship — 2002 edition of the FIBA World Championship2002 Formula One World Championship — sports season2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup — 2002 edition of the association football competition CONCACAF Gold Cupeurovision-song-contest-2002-47th-edition-of-the-eurovisio-2002